At the initiative of Karwan-e-Mohabbat (Caravan of Love), the "People's Tribunal on Christian Persecution in West Bengal" held a daylong program on November 2, 2026, at the Muslim Institute, Kolkata. This was an attempt to awaken the conscience of the gathering and fight against the outbreak of hatred against Christianity in Bengal in recent times. 

The victims of unprecedented persecution in Bengal in recent times, those harassed and intimidated Christian Communities in Bengal, held a fact-finding and data collection from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening.

The victims came in large numbers from across Bengal, including East and West Medinipur, Howrah-Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, and East and West Bardhamaan, to relate their traumatic and heartbreaking stories of atrocities and violations against human rights, human dignity and the fundamental right to practice the Christian religion, as per the Constitution of India. At least 48 such cases were reported at the day's programme. The victims, media reporters, Human Rights Defenders, other Fact-finding team members, and experts in this field of advocacy spoke convincingly and shared their testimony of Christian faith.

Among the experts on the panel were Ms. Tanika Sarkar, Retired Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and currently Visiting Professor at Ashoka University; Mr. Jawhar Sircar, Former Member of Parliament and Former Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Culture, and Former CEO of Prasar Bharati; Mr. Aakar Patel, Chairperson of the Board of Amnesty International India, Veteran Journalist & Writer; Mr. John Dayal, Senior Journalist and one of the prominent Christian Leaders in the nation, who has been a member of Karwan-e-Mohabbat since its inception; Mr. Wajahat Habibullah, Former Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities and Former Chief Information Commissioner; Mr. Omair Khan, Lead Researcher at Karwan-e-Mohabbat, from Jamia Millia Islamia; Ms. Vidya Dinkar, Leading Environmentalist & Social Rights Activist, and Leader of the Karnataka Chapter of Karwan-e-Mohabbat; and Mr. Harsh Mander, Author, Peace and Justice Worker, Teacher, Former IAS Officer and Founder of Karwan-e-Mohabbat.

The High Court Lawyers, Senior Pastors, Reporters from both mainstream and independent media, and Civil Society Groups spoke and recorded the atrocities meted out to the innocent victims in Bengal.

Countering the narrative of forced religious conversion and highlighting atrocities against Christians, especially in Rural Bengal, Organisations representing the National Christian Council (NCC), Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), Council of All Christian Minority (CCM), Body of Christ (BOC), Kolkata Transformation Network (KTN), All India Catholic Union (AICU), were the part of this eye opening with data and facts to this daylong program.

One of the incidents narrated during the day's session was violence against Christians in Rayan, Burdwan, West Bengal, on November 1, 2026, at True Light Harvesters Church, Burdwan.

A serious incident of violence against members of the Christian community was reported in Rayan, Burdwan, West Bengal, when a mob comprising approximately 60–70 people allegedly entered the residence of a believer named Sumanto and physically assaulted several Christians present there. During the incident, the house and household belongings were vandalised and damaged by the alleged attackers, causing considerable distress and injury to the affected families.

Details of the Victims and Damage
According to the information received, the following incidents have been reported:
1.    Assault on Pastor Chattu Das: Pastor Chattu Das was reportedly brutally beaten. His vehicle was also damaged during the incident.
2.    Assault on Sumanto's Father: Sumanto's father was physically assaulted and sustained injuries. His condition was reportedly so serious that he was unable to walk.
3.    Assault on Other Believers: Several other believers were also reportedly assaulted during the incident.
4.    Damage to Property: Sumanto's house and household belongings were vandalised and damaged by the mob.

Police Intervention and Detention of Believers
Following the incident, approximately 30–40 believers, including five children, were taken to the police station after undergoing medical examinations. According to available information, they had been waiting at the police station since the afternoon for the Police Inspector to arrive. The circumstances under which these believers were taken to the police station and the reasons for their continued detention require clarification. Mrs Jyotsna, Pastor Jose's wife, and their daughter Jenny were also present at the police station.

Present Situation and Concerns
The incident has caused serious concern among the local Christian community. The reported physical assaults, vandalism of private property and the presence of women and children at the police station raise concerns regarding the safety, security and protection of the affected believers. Police and administrative intervention is urgently needed to ensure the victims' safety, provide appropriate medical treatment, establish the facts surrounding the incident, and take necessary legal action against those responsible.

This has been the pattern of attacks on Christian groups or communities in prayer houses and individual homes. This type of vandalism has created panic among the Christian communities. The neighbours who lived peacefully with the Christian families are now quite biased in some places, and their minds have been poisoned by fundamentalist religion-based ideologies.